Region Briefs

Minden woman sentenced for fourth DWI

A Minden woman was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Shreveport to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for driving drunk and crashing into a security bollard outside the Barksdale Air Force Base East Gate last year. She also was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

The blood-alcohol level of Kathleen Larsen Coker, 51, was .168 percent when measured at 7:27 a.m. - more than two hours after the crash - on Nov. 18. The legal blood-alcohol concentration limit on the base is .08 percent.

Coker has three prior DWI convictions in the last 10 years in Webster and Claiborne parishes. She pleaded guilty to the federal charge on March 11.

"This defendant will spend two years in prison because she made the mistake of drinking and driving," U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley said. "She put the lives of everyone who traveled the roads in danger and damaged Barksdale Air Force Base property, which was a cost to taxpayers. Hopefully this case serves as a deterrent to anyone thinking of drinking and getting behind the wheel."

DeSoto Parish

Citizens to address reapportionment

MANSFIELD - Two Mansfield citizens, Betty Carter and Jeri Burrell, have requested to address the DeSoto Parish School Board during its meeting at 6 p.m. today regarding its reapportionment plan.

The School Board adopted the plan last year without opposition from any citizens, and the U.S. Department of Justice added its approval in January.

In other matters, the board will hear from DeSoto Parish sheriff's Sgt. Chato Atkins regarding the Crime Stoppers program, approve the revised 2013-14 pupil progression plan, hear from board member Neil Henderson regarding positive changes in the school system and receive information from Superintendent Cade Brumley regarding football game schedules, graduation dates, open house dates and school resource officers.

Natchitoches

Historic district walking tours continue

NATCHITOCHES - Cane River Creole National Historic Park rangers will continue to offer free guided walking tours of the Natchitoches Historic District throughout August.

Tours are Thursdays through Sundays starting at 9 a.m. Each begins at the Cunningham law office at 550 Second St., lasts about 90 minutes and covers about a half-mile. Dates are today through Sunday, Aug. 8-11, 15-18, 22-25 and 29-31.

The tour covers 300 years of Natchitoches history. Along the route visitors will learn about landmarks associated with early European settlement, the Creole culture, the Civil War, African American history and modern preservation efforts.

Sabine Parish

Another arrest made in May shooting

MANY - Another arrest has been made in the May 11 shooting that resulted in the death of a Many man, according to Many police.

Marcello B. Hicks, 32, of Many, was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center on a charge of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. No bond has been set.

Hicks is accused in the death of Tyrus Thomas, 27, who died when he was shot while driving on state Highway 6 east of Many. His car slammed into a bridge and overturned in a creek.

Many police and Sabine sheriff's deputies joined to arrest Hicks. Melvin C. Maxie, 29, and Philip Dewayne Jones, 22. Maxie were arrested after Thomas' death. Maxie is charged with first-degree murder, and Jones with second-degree murder.